How Many Hours Do Rich People Really Read Each Day? Surprising Habits of Wealthy Readers

Some of the wealthiest people on the planet swear by a good book, and not in a pretentious way. Think about this: Warren Buffett once said he spends 80% of his workday reading. Bill Gates claims to read 50 books a year. No matter how you look at it, reading is a big deal among people who've built massive fortunes — and, honestly, not for show. This isn’t about collecting rare manuscripts or cuddling up with Shakespeare. It’s about snatching up real, usable knowledge and running with it, straight into boardrooms or brainstorming sessions. But just how many hours are these high rollers actually clocking in with a book each day? And more importantly, can that kind of reading routine make any real difference in regular lives?

The Reading Habits of the Ultra-Wealthy: How Much Do They Really Read?

I know, you probably imagine billionaires too busy for a quiet afternoon reading session. The opposite seems true. Warren Buffett, who’s clocked in around nine decades on this planet, has been known to plow through up to 500 pages a day in his early career (yep, 500). Even now, he estimates he spends five to six hours daily with trade publications, newspapers, and business reports. Elon Musk credits his early rocket science knowledge to books, calling himself a “bookworm” as a kid. Oprah Winfrey has publicly shared how books helped shape her worldview — her book club has become an empire of its own.

An in-depth 2016 survey by Thomas Corley, the author behind "Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals," examined the reading routines of 233 wealthy respondents (with at least $160,000 a year in income and $3.2 million in net assets) and compared them to 128 individuals with less means. The findings? 88% of wealthy respondents said they read at least 30 minutes every day, compared to only 2% of those with less wealth. But what are these folks reading? About 85% read two or more educational, self-improvement, or career-related books a month — definitely not romance novels or comic books as their main diet.

If you break down the numbers, most rich people clock in about one to three hours a day reading. It’s almost always scheduled — early morning, during lunch, or a dedicated block after dinner. Bill Gates plans week-long "reading retreats" without digital interruptions. Mark Cuban routinely spends three hours a day reading up on tech and business. Let’s just say, if you ever wondered why conference speakers and top CEOs sound so informed — well, their secret’s been staring at them from a library chair.

What Exactly Do the Rich Read?

So you’re thinking, all right, they read a lot. But are affluent readers lost in old textbooks? Not quite. There’s a clear difference in the material rich people prefer versus what most of us might grab for relaxation. Instead of fiction, most stick to nonfiction: biographies, business strategies, self-improvement, history, and even technical reports. Bill Gates, for example, is often seen with nonfiction works on climate, tech, health, and innovation. Mark Zuckerberg challenged himself to read a book every two weeks to learn about different cultures, beliefs, and technologies. Oprah’s picks? A mix — she throws in fiction, but always seeks books with deep life lessons or powerful real-world insight.

Look at this neat snapshot of popular reads among super-successful people:

Notice something in common? There’s always some sort of intentional, “feeding-my-brain” logic to their choices. Not all about personal hobbies or entertainment. The purpose seems pretty direct: get smarter, spot trends, or learn from genius minds. That said, not every page has to be a business case study. Elon Musk famously devoured science fiction — it sparked his curiosity for space and technology. Rich people use reading to solve problems, learn new skills, or just unlock broader ways to think. That’s a super practical twist anyone can try, no matter how full your schedule seems.

Why the Rich Prioritize Reading: Insights Beyond Just Wealth

Okay, let’s get brutally honest. Most folks get the value of reading but struggle to carve out an hour, let alone a whole afternoon. So why do wealthy people seem obsessed with reading, especially when they might have assistants, teams, and tech to feed them all the info they need?

Turns out, reading gives them an edge that can’t be replaced by bullet points or soundbites. Reading stretches attention spans, sharpens critical thinking, and feeds creativity. Multiple studies by Harvard Business Review have found that reading strengthens empathy — the ability to step into another person’s shoes, which honestly matters a ton when you’re working with teams, negotiating deals, or launching global projects.

Books deliver ideas that go deep, not just top-level takeaways. That’s why Warren Buffett calls his reading habit “a compound interest of knowledge.” He often tells his protégés: sit down, read 500 pages a day, and you’ll see knowledge accumulate like money in a high-yield account. There’s research out of the University of Sussex showing that just six minutes of focused reading can drop stress levels by more than 60% — sharper than going for a walk or drinking tea. So, it’s not just about money; it’s about better mental health, sharper thinking, and even better sleep.

Even the way rich people choose to read matters. They keep a mix of print and digital. Dozens of millionaires in a 2024 Forbes survey said they read newspapers with their morning coffee but switched to e-books or audiobooks during travel. Sometimes, they take notes or doodle in the margins for later. Some even organize mini-book clubs with friends or teammates — nothing fancy, just group chats or monthly meetups built around discussing a new idea. They often talk about finding “one golden nugget” in each book that pays off in life or business. That’s the payoff — not showing off a bookshelf.

Adopting Wealthy Readers’ Habits: Practical Tips for Busy Lives

Let’s face it, not everyone’s dropping everything for a four-hour reading binge every day. But you don’t have to. Even short stretches can add up — just look at Bill Gates, who fits in a few chapters wherever he can and blocks out a special reading “think week” every year. If you want to channel some billionaire habits, here’s how you can start:

• rich people reading habits aren’t as unreachable as they seem. Start by scheduling 30 minutes first thing in the morning or before bed. Turn off your phone. No social media—just you and the pages.
• Pick books or articles you’re actually curious about — ideally, make it a mix. Maybe industry news, then a memoir, then a how-to guide.
• Keep a notebook handy. Jot down ideas, phrases, or even questions. You’ll actually remember what you read and can circle back later.
• Try stacking habits. Listen to audiobooks on your commute. Read during lunch. Fit pages into waiting times (doctor’s office, coffee runs).
• Curate your personal reading list. Add works that help you think bigger: history, science, business, psychology, even a little fiction for empathy and creative twists.
• If you like structure, go ‘Buffett-style’: dedicate part of your work time to reading about your field. Stay sharp on trends and big ideas without extra stress.
• Join or make your own mini-book club — even just once a month. Accountability helps, and you’ll discover new perspectives by discussing books together.
• Don’t pressure yourself to finish every book. Wealthy readers often stop halfway if a book isn’t working. Time’s valuable; spend it on what grows you.
• Experiment with switching formats — physical books for deep concentration, digital for convenience, audiobooks for multitasking.

The key lesson? Rich or not, the actual hours matter less than the intention behind them. Every page is about leveling up, not just filling time. You don’t need a billionaire’s bank account to build a billionaire’s mind. In fact, turning pages might just be the most affordable way to invest in yourself, starting now.